Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour
4.5
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*
Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour
By RealNZ
About
On this guided tour of Te Anau's glowworm caves you'll learn all about the lives of these amazing little creatures, as well as the natural environment that hosts them. Start with a scenic cruise across Lake Te Anau to reach the caves, then spend 2 hours and 15 minutes inside with a knowledgeable guide. This is a fun and informative activity that both adults and kids will enjoy. Be sure to dress warm!
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from per adult
$60.60
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-99, max of 72 per group
Duration: 2h 15m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
English
Features animals
Highlights
- The tour includes a return boat ride across the lake
- Hot beverages will be provided
- Be amazed by the wonders of nature at Te Anau
- Take a trip underground the safe way
- Lake cruise on Lake Te Anau
- Complimentary Tea & Coffee
- Entry/Admission - Te Anau Glowworm Caves
What's not included- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Departure details
- 85 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau 9600, New Zealand Please be sure to arrive 20 minutes before your scheduled departure.
Return details- Returns to original departure point
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 2264RJ400- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Minimum age is 5 years
- Most travelers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 72 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- What you can expect during your visit
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Community- Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
- How much is Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour?
- Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour price starts from $62.45. Discover and book Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour on Tripadvisor
- What is the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour cancellation policy?
- Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour cancellation policy: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Discover and book Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour on Tripadvisor
- Which company provides Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour?
- Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour is hosted by RealNZ. Read reviews, discover additonal experiences or contact RealNZ on Tripadvisor. Discover and book Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour on Tripadvisor
- How much time do I need for Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour?
- On average, this experience will take approximately 2h 15m. Discover and book Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour on Tripadvisor
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 2264RJ400
Reserve your spot
Similar experiences
Itinerary
- You'll start at85 Lakefront Drive85 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau 9600, New ZealandPlease be sure to arrive 20 minutes before your scheduled departure.See address & details
- 1Te Anau Glowworm CavesStop: 2 hours - Admission includedView glittering glowworms in an underground cave system.Read morePass byLake Te Anau
- You'll return to the starting point
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About the operator
- M1113DZpamelad00Nil scoreI wasn't picked up at Ridges where I booked for pickup so totally lost my whole experience plus $271.00 Ridges front office tried to contact NZ office but no body took the call, by the time I walked down to Beech St the bus had departed from there. I was devastated
- Euan R00sounds and views of real naturea great day out, joined tour from Manapouri on boat to end of Lake, then Coach to Derp Cove on the sound, then a 3 hour boat trip ,length of fjord, fantastic day, We had snow falling on our coach trip thru the pass, then a great trip on boat, coffee, snacks available, plus at one point they shut off all the engines etc, to listen yo the sound of silence. Got bCk to Mznzpouri wharf about 5.00pm a great day
- KiwilineNY00Absolutely excellent all around!Utterly brilliant! Gorgeous scenery, lots to see, top notch staff (our bus drivers Brian and Murray were charming, cheerful and knowledgeable; Eve, our Lake Manapouri captain was engaging and informative -- I lost track of the names of the crew on our actual cruise boat in the Doubtful Sound, but they were superior as well!) The logistics were all handled seamlessly -- this is a long day (12 hours from Queenstown) that involves a bus to Te Anau, another bus to Lake Manapouri, a boat ride across said lake, another bus over the Wilmot Pass to Doubtful Sound. Then, reverse all that coming back. But every transfer/pickup was right on time, everything was exactly as promised and then some. We saw more rainbows in one day than I've seen in my entire life! Also some fur seals lounging about on Marcaciones Point. Shout out to the company for minimizing waste -- glasses and mugs were washable and reusable, even the picnic lunchboxes used the minimum amount of packaging. Well done all!! We did Milford Sound today and I'd say both are a must-see -- very different, so if you have the opportunity, book both!
- hannahcU4432LL00Incredible sceneryFabulous experience! Everything was very well organised - all our transport transfers flowed smoothly, all the connections were timed to perfection. It was an amazing trip! The conditions were fabulous and the views spectacular! Our cruise was the only one running at the time so it was very peaceful - especially when the boat engine was turned off! Would definitely recommend this trip!
- Thundercrossvalley00Aaaaamazing 2-night cruise in Doubtful SoundFabulous! Incredible! 10 out of 10! This is a must-do experience. We will recommend it to all our friends and family. The ship was beautiful; modern, squeaky clean and beautifully appointed. Lovely cabins. Fantastic staff; helpful, friendly and so very knowledgeable. They worked so hard, multi-tasking wherever/whatever was required and always with a smile on their faces. Well done. Every team member was a credit to Real NZ. The food was outstanding; I'm sure I put on several kgs during our 2-night cruise. Thank you, thank you. We'll be back.
- Brendan M00Highly recommended Scenic TripThe ferry out of Manipouri was spacious and catered to passengers needs with food,drink and amenities. Viewing the magnificent scenery was easy and well narrated by crew. The three stages of the trip from ferry to bus and ferry were seamless and the same at return to Manipouri. Descriptive and historical information was only surpassed by the scenery ever present. Life memories are the gift of this trip.
- I3182KSlizc00Fabulous Doubtful SoundIt was an amazing trip. The connections between buses and boats was seamless. The views were spectacular and the staff were friendly and helpful. Would definitely recommend this trip.
- dirtycarrottikibar00Highly recommend!A great tour from beginning to end. From the cruise across Lake Manipouri, the bus ride over the pass and the cruise through Doubtful Sound, it was all beautiful. The tour company was awesome and very professional. Especially loved it when the captain turned off the engines for a few minutes so we could listen to the birds and peacefulness. Highly recommend!
- vanessamH6814RF00Stunning scenery, well organised, well worth the trip.Cruised Doubtful Sound with RealNZ with my family of 6 adults. Absolutely stunning! We were lucky to have beautiful weather and the whole day was well worth the time taken. Very modern, comfy coach transfers with well informed drivers doubling as tour guides. Got to see a lot of the country-side and beautiful scenery even before embarking on the boat. Cruised all through the fiord right up to the Tasman sea.
- N7006JUtimk00great ride, a bit wetWe went on a rainy day, which had of course the disadvantage of being cold and wet as well as difficult to see well and get good pictures. The advantage? More waterfalls than you can count. The rain makes for "temporary" falls, basically the mountains shedding excess water. It is an amazing site. the trip is three parts, ride across the lake, with narration on local area and the power station. Then a bus ride on the gravel road to the fjord, then the fjord boat ride, which goes out to the Tasman Sea and passes innumerable waterfalls as well as rock slides and tree falls. We also saw a large group of seals on the rocks at the opening to the sea and waterfalls up close, if you wanted ot get drenched.
- ashleighdanby00Amazing!The only thing I wish about this experience, was that we had assigned seating. Other tourists were extremely rude, but obviously that has nothing to do with the staff and how they provided the experience. Boat to the pass was very small and almost packed in like sardines, but the views were very nice. Food available for purchase was yummy, had the sandwich and it was great! Good range of food available to purchase. Bus tour over the pass was great, we had a very nice driver who was very informative and passionate about his job. The boat over the sounds was very clean and spacious. Lots of space to move around. The food travels from vehicle vehicle but is made fresh on the day. Saw some seals and dolphins which was so special! A little bumpy over the Tasman sea, so prepare if you get sea sick!
- RhoDav3700Doubtful ... incredible!Most amazing day from Queenstown! Paulie (coach driver) was very knowledgeable and funny. We have done Milford and Doubtful Sounds now and cannot recommend Real NZ enough. Easy fun filled day seeing a beautiful part of NZ.
- Travel0024172961900A must do tripFabulous day of experiences. Definitely worth dedicating a day of your travels to spend time on this tour. Staff and commentary were excellent. We were fortunate to have a perfect blue sky day but I think it would be an interesting day in any weather.
- jamessX6491VJ00Doubtful - NotFrom beginning to end, this was a wonderful experience and all the staff were friendly, helpful and informative. We couldn't recommend it enough. 1st Class
- Juja8030100Views and wildlife, a gorgeous day on Doubtful SoundThis is a full day tour as it takes a boat and a bus to get to the cruise and then a bus and a boat to return after the cruise. Relax and enjoy it all. The staff were all friendly and provided interesting commentary along the way. The Doubtful Sound cruise itself was incredible. We lucked out with a stellar weather day, providing clear skies and smooth water. We saw penguins and fur seals and tons of gorgeous scenery. Originally I'd wanted to kayak the sound, but because of its immense size we saw a lot more of it this way. Highly recommend.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
199 reviews
Excellent
140
Very good
40
Average
10
Poor
2
Terrible
7
Bunny59
Ottawa, Canada214 contributions
A world heritage area. In scenic Fiordland. It rained the whole time but we were in a covered boat and then inside the cave; so the rain does not spoil the adventure. A half hour boat ride, with commentary on the area, was followed by a short walk through the cave entrance, and then a boat ride in the complete dark and silence to gaze at the amazing “tail lights” of the glow worms. They were a florescent blue. In places it was liking viewing the Milky Way. We saw two large eels in the shallow rushing waters at the cave entrance. After the cave experience, we entered a small photo museum where we watched a narrated slide show of the glow worm. The slides were magnified so that you actually see the glow worms making their fishing lines and gobbling their prey. Our narrator, named Harry, was excellent. He spoke fluent & clear English & added humour to his presentation; so we were very entertained. Great experience all should enjoy.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your wonderful review of the Te Anau Glowworm Caves and also your lovely comments about our nature guide, which we have passed on. We are so pleased you had a great experience with us - the team at Real Journeys.
Written January 3, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Scruffy0506
Sydney, Australia86 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
We took our tour with Real Journeys, with whom we also did Doubtful Sound and were very happy with their service.
A bus and boat take you on the short trip to the caves where the tour begins with a brief visual presentation and commentary from a guide which I personally love because I like to have some knowledge about what I’m experiencing.
When you enter the caves there are a couple of areas where you need to duck quite low and I think my 6’2” husband would have had difficulty so if you are really tall, you need to be really limber.
After a short walk you reach the prime glow worm area and climb into a boat which is guided along the waterway by the guide and thus is where the magic happens. In pitch darkness you come upon a galaxy of tiny lights above and to the side of you. The multitude of pinprick incandescence is indescribable and beyond beautiful.
Just go. (Unfortunately there are no photos as photography in the caves is prohibited.)
A bus and boat take you on the short trip to the caves where the tour begins with a brief visual presentation and commentary from a guide which I personally love because I like to have some knowledge about what I’m experiencing.
When you enter the caves there are a couple of areas where you need to duck quite low and I think my 6’2” husband would have had difficulty so if you are really tall, you need to be really limber.
After a short walk you reach the prime glow worm area and climb into a boat which is guided along the waterway by the guide and thus is where the magic happens. In pitch darkness you come upon a galaxy of tiny lights above and to the side of you. The multitude of pinprick incandescence is indescribable and beyond beautiful.
Just go. (Unfortunately there are no photos as photography in the caves is prohibited.)
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia Ora. Thank you for taking the time to post your 5 star review about your magical Glowworm Caves experience with us. We think it's pretty unique and we are pleased you had a a great time. Enjoy the rest of your visit to our region. Kind Regards - The Team at Real Journeys.
Written March 8, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Simbojnr
Christchurch, New Zealand108 contributions
Apr 2021
What an amazing experience. By chance saw this when booking Earnslaw so decided to make a day of it. Staying in Q'town it was a long day trip with the drive but so worth it. First you board a boat for a magical trip across lake Te Anau to get to the Glow Worm caves. Once across the lake the main group gets split up into smaller groups to go into the caves as the boat inside can only take around 12 people. I recommend not being one of the first groups to go into the caves, if you can have some patience it is worth it as then you get to watch the informative video about the glow worms before you go into the caves. There is free tea/coffee/hot chocolate provided and a few snacks you can buy. The actual caves were amazing, I wasn't sure what to expect but it was breathtaking, so well down .. just magical! Feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to visit this amazing experience. Thanks to the staff and skipper too, all very friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend!!
Written April 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ssiar x
3 contributions
Jan 2020
We really enjoyed our Glow-worms cave tour. We had a lovely trip across the lake to the cave. The cave itself is awesome as you travel down into it to get to the boat to see the glow worms. You then spend 15 or so minutes in complete darkness in the boat just soaking in the beauty of these little creatures, then back out and across the lake. The whole tour takes a couple of hours. My whole family aged from 11-70 enjoyed this experience.
Written February 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia Ora and thank you for the 5 star review of your Glowworm Cave trip. Great to hear that you all loved the experience no matter the age - there's certainly something for everyone and we think it's pretty unique. We hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday. Kind Regards - The Team at Real Journeys.
Written February 3, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Cam L
Niagara Falls,6 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Like most people on Earth, I had never seen a glowworm before, so it seemed like a must do while we were in Te Anau. In hindsight I think we would’ve been better off skipping.
While the boat ride to the cave was enjoyable, the whole glowworm experience was pretty underwhelming. Real Journeys did their best to make it memorable but the fact of the matter is the trip into the cave is over within 20 minutes.
First you get the walking tour into the cave, then get into your boat. Warning for those with claustrophobia: you probably won’t enjoy the experience if you’re not game for pitch black darkness the entire boat trip. Glowworms look neat for the first few minutes but they don’t exactly do tricks or anything, so it loses its appeal around the 6th minute in.
After the cave tour is done, you’re forced to wait around for the next boat back to land. This felt pretty tedious for us, since we weren’t excited by the offer of free coffee. A Q&A about glowworms killed the time, but really, we would have rather spent that 30 minutes back in town, not feeling like we were being held hostage.
Book only if seeing glowworms is your or your child’s lifelong dream. Avoid if it’s just a curiosity. There are so many other things to do in NZ.
While the boat ride to the cave was enjoyable, the whole glowworm experience was pretty underwhelming. Real Journeys did their best to make it memorable but the fact of the matter is the trip into the cave is over within 20 minutes.
First you get the walking tour into the cave, then get into your boat. Warning for those with claustrophobia: you probably won’t enjoy the experience if you’re not game for pitch black darkness the entire boat trip. Glowworms look neat for the first few minutes but they don’t exactly do tricks or anything, so it loses its appeal around the 6th minute in.
After the cave tour is done, you’re forced to wait around for the next boat back to land. This felt pretty tedious for us, since we weren’t excited by the offer of free coffee. A Q&A about glowworms killed the time, but really, we would have rather spent that 30 minutes back in town, not feeling like we were being held hostage.
Book only if seeing glowworms is your or your child’s lifelong dream. Avoid if it’s just a curiosity. There are so many other things to do in NZ.
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are sorry you found the Te Anau Glowworm Cave experience underwhelming and expensive. We think this tour offers great value as it includes a scenic cruise across Lake Te Anau, a guided nature walk through native forest, a presentation from our dedicated nature guides and, of course, the glowworm cave experience which has been described as being one of the most unusual limestone cave experiences on the planet. Thank you for taking the time to post this review - the Real Journeys team.
Written January 22, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
William T
Sterling, VA11 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Very nice experience. The boat ride to the caves was quite nice while the caves were fascinating. The tours worked like clockwork, efficiently bringing 3-4 groups of 14 into the cave with minimal interference or overlap. The boat ride in the cave was quite surreal, with stars provided by the glow worms in an otherwise black background.
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sandee
15 contributions
May 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed this day. Drove from Te Anau to Manapouri and boarded cruise on Lake Manapouri, bus through the forest and then cruise on Doubtful Sound. Everything was well organised and all was accompanied by informative information on the area, history and interesting facts. Recommending this tour to any friends who are thinking of travelling to the area.
Written June 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Gordon-Garretts
5 contributions
Mar 2021
This was a good experience. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable and we enjoyed the boat ride to and from the caves. The time spent inside the caves themselves was not as long as we expected, but it was amazing to see glow worms up close.
Written March 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tayla m
Nelson-Tasman Region, New Zealand17 contributions
Apr 2021
This was an amazing experience. In 2 hours we boated across Te Anau lake, went through natural caves and finally went on a beautiful glow worm boat tour. The tour guides and skipper was excellence. Overall the trip went above and beyond to make it amazing! 1000% recommend to friends :)
Written April 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason T
Adelaide, Australia569 contributions
Jun 2021
It's a natural attraction so take it for what it is, it's not there to perform for our amusement. We left Teanau for the short ride out by boat to the caves say 30 min, there is a small briefing at the site advising of the do's and don'ts and from there on it's in we go.
Be aware you do have to bend down to enter and exit so if you are not able bodied you may struggle but don't stress too much. Once inside the caves the roar of the water is an amazing experience and it's then onto the glow worms. It's funny as they told us technically they are maggots but that's not a very enticing description so worms it is :) This worm area is traversed using small punts hand pulled through the darkness, you will lose track of direction etc. but just concentrate on those little lights and you will thoroughly enjoy the experience.
The staff were amazing and both friendly and helpful!
Be aware you do have to bend down to enter and exit so if you are not able bodied you may struggle but don't stress too much. Once inside the caves the roar of the water is an amazing experience and it's then onto the glow worms. It's funny as they told us technically they are maggots but that's not a very enticing description so worms it is :) This worm area is traversed using small punts hand pulled through the darkness, you will lose track of direction etc. but just concentrate on those little lights and you will thoroughly enjoy the experience.
The staff were amazing and both friendly and helpful!
Written August 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
are there booking for dec 6 2022 ?
barneygirl33
Palmerston North, New Zealand113 contributions
Email the provider and ask them.
Cammie L
Brisbane Region, Australia3 contributions
My Mum is 80 and can walk ok. I'm hoping there is no bending/crawling through the tour. Do you think she would be able to participate in the tour?
Dohna M
3 contributions
No crawling though , and the bending is more like bending your knees down to go under but the boat is low to get into
John W
Singapore, Singapore2 contributions
We have a group of 7 adults and 6 children, but I cannot book the trip for this size in the system. Please advise.
Wei C
Perth, Australia5 contributions
Can I still see the glow worms in the morning tour?
dieselnator
Greenville, SC278 contributions
Yes, it’s always dark in the cave.
Hi, can 4 year old child join the tour?

Rickybrowneyes
Tucson, AZ129 contributions
I would not recommend it. There are times when it is pitch black and many people on my tour "bumped" their heads a couple times. A reasonable person might suggest that the cave conditions might frighten a child and the risk of injury is not worth it.
sissy8575
Cincinnati, OH18 contributions
Do you feel claustrophobic in the cave?
dieselnator
Greenville, SC278 contributions
You may feel claustrophobic when you get in the small boat (our group was a tight fit), and it’s pitch black (disorienting).
Stamptr
Sidemen, Indonesia3 contributions
What is this trip like if you are a couple with a one year old? Thanks!
Catrin B
34 contributions
I personally wouldn't take a one year old. You have to scramble through quite narrow passages to get to the boat which takes you through the caves.Also it is pitch dark and quite scary on the boat so not ideal for a baby. One option would be to all of you go over in the big boat to the visitor centre at the caves but then take turns to actually go on the tour of the caves. They divide you into groups as only one party can enter the caves at a time. From my recollection the actual tour is only 20 to 30 mins and the visitor centre is quite comfortable to wait a while. I'm sure the staff could accommodate that request. It's certainly worth a visit so good luck!
JackyJames
Newcastle, Australia3 contributions
Are there pickups available from Queenstown?
Ann M
West Des Moines, Iowa, United States22 contributions
Probably. Check Real Journeys day trips out of Queenstown. I used their services to go to Milford Sound from Queenstown and booked with them prior to leaving the States to reserve Glow Worm tickets.
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour provided by RealNZ
Product Overview: Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour
Prices From | $62 |
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Number of Reviews | 199 |
Number of Photos | 68 |
Duration | 135 minutes |

























































